OUR VIEW: Southeastern Mass. Bioreserve should not be a secret

When folks think of Southeastern Massachusetts, probably the last thing that comes to mind is a vast expanse of undeveloped wilderness. But the region is actually home to the largest wildlife area in Massachusetts, totaling some 13,600 acres in the eastern half of Fall River along with a large chunk of central Freeto...

The Taunton Daily Gazette, Taunton, MA

Writer

Posted Apr. 30, 2012 at 12:01 AM
Updated Apr 30, 2012 at 8:47 PM

Posted Apr. 30, 2012 at 12:01 AM
Updated Apr 30, 2012 at 8:47 PM

» Social News

When folks think of Southeastern Massachusetts, probably the last thing that comes to mind is a vast expanse of undeveloped wilderness. But the region is actually home to the largest wildlife area in Massachusetts, totaling some 13,600 acres in the eastern half of Fall River along with a large chunk of central Freetown and some slivers of Dartmouth near the Copicut Reservoir. The Southeastern Massachusetts Bioreserve represents nearly half of Fall River’s land area.

Those thousands of acres are still wild and rural, and will stay that way forever. A public-private partnership cooperated to create the Bioreserve 10 years ago: The city of Fall River, which owns 4,300 acres of watershed and conservation land; the Freetown-Fall River State Forest, which represents 5,400 acres; and the balance of the land, owned by the nonprofit Trustees of the Reservation.

On one hand, it’s wonderful for the city to have such a large swath of property that can never be developed. On the other hand, that means that the city will always be limited in the amount of developable land available in what is arguably one of the city’s most desirable locations. None of the land that constitutes the Bioreserve is taxed, severely limiting Fall River’s tax base. However, that doesn’t mean that the Bioreserve has to be an economic drain for the city. Instead, with the proper maintenance, interpretive programs and marketing, it could actually become a huge economic engine for the city and the SouthCoast region.

While the Bioreserve is an amazing resource that helps protect the area’s air, water and wildlife, it’s also an untapped resource that is a well-kept secret; perhaps too well kept. Imagine if the Bioreserve were marketed as a destination for outdoor recreational activities and nature lovers. Green Futures, the local environmental group, which has been a big proponent of the Bioreserve and offers some programs, says there are 16 rare, threatened, or endangered species that call the Bioreserve home. It’s also the home of rare habitats, like Atlantic white cedar swamps and pitch pine-scrub oak barrens.

While there are some events sprinkled throughout the year, such as Saturday’s Big Walk, that aim to highlight the Bioreserve’s resources, few people actually know about and get to enjoy the pristine land. While the lack of human contact keeps it pristine, it’s also a shame to see the Bioreserve’s untapped potential as a recreational destination for people to enjoy. The entities that control the Bioreserve could partner with groups like the Appalachian Mountain Club, the Sierra Club, the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts and similar outdoor recreation organizations to help maintain and mark trails and keep the Bioreserve clean.

As the Bioreserve enters its second decade this year, city and state entities, along with the Trustees of the Reservation would do well to develop more programs that highlight this amazing wilderness area right here in our own backyard. Area business and political leaders ought to make marketing and bringing more services and programs to show off the Bioreserve to the world a top priority.

While there has been talk recently about the possible detriment that the Aquinnah Wampanoag’s proposal for a resort casino on land abutting the Bioreserve could cause, it doesn’t take a casino or resort to bring more people to the Bioreserve. The Bioreserve should could also be a huge “selling point” for attracting businesses and professionals to the fledgling SouthCoast Life Science and Technology Park at Fall River and other business parks just outside the Bioreserve’s borders.

Not only would a smart marketing program serve to build the area’s economy, but showing the “quiet corner” of Fall River could help to improve that city’s troubled image. Let’s hope that Fall River business officials and political leaders see the value in bringing more attention to this spectacular resource. The Southeastern Massachusetts Bioreserve does not have to be a big secret. Southeastern Massachusetts should take steps to showcase our Bioreserve to the world.